Clarity of Cause, Clear as Mud

By Julia Hanf in Diabetes on May 25th, 2008

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by Julia Hanf

Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Even more chilling, it is the first leading cause of death for children. The rising rates of obesity in this country have also led to rising rates of type II diabetes (also called adult onset diabetes). Today, one in 12 adults are afflicted with the disease. This means that over 16 million people have the disorder, with 6 million of them walking around undiagnosed and unaware of their sensitive insulin condition.

The vagueness surrounding diabetes unfortunately does not aid in determining a concrete plan of prevention. Without fully understanding its cause, one cannot educate the public as to how to avoid developing diabetes. Unfortunately, even insulin’s role in diabetes and metabolic processes is not completely clear. It is known that poor nutrition, increased levels of stress and physical inactivity are environmental factors that can bring on diabetes, with or without genetic predisposition.

Diabetes refers to the disease in which the body does not use or produce insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone used in the metabolic process to aid in converting sugar, starches and other foods into usable energy. According to the American Diabetes Association, 7% of the population is diabetic or in pre-diabetic stages. In just one year, 1.5 million people age 20 and older were diagnosed with the disease. The most common form of diabetes is the Type II, or insulin resistant disease. Of the youth population, 1 in 6 overweight children are pre-diabetic. The numbers are climbing at an alarming rate. Almost directly proportional to the increasing diabetic population is the obesity rate. Not surprisingly, one is closely linked to the other.

While exact causes of diabetes are not clear, there is speculation concerning obesity and diabetes. It is the classic cyclic question, which comes first. As an individual’s weight increases as result of poor nutrition, over indulgence and an inactive lifestyle, the body responds less and less to its natural metabolic processes. It fails to convert glucose into fuel for the cell. As a result, the glucose is stored as fat, contributing to the existing weight problem. It is acceptable to state that reduction of weight can assist in prevention or management of the disease.

There is also a belief that insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar levels in the bodies. The term “insulin dependent” was created in the 1950s to create the impression that muscle and fat require insulin to take up glucose (the sugars created by eating high carbohydrate and sugary foods). However, current studies show that many different things in the body transport glucose. Cells require glucose for their cell respiration process. The body makes sure that the cells receive that, no matter how much insulin in present.

Furthermore, the role insulin plays in the metabolic process is not fully understood. The common belief is that insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. The term “insulin dependent” was coined in the 1950’s. It gave to the impression that muscle and fat required insulin to unlock the cell, allowing it to convert the glucose. However, current studies conclude that many different cellular bodies transport glucose. Cells need glucose for their cellular respiration process, regardless of insulin presence.

By incorporating inflammation fighting foods such as dark green vegetables, fresh dark fruits and complex carbs, as opposed to simple carbs, can not only help reduce pH levels in the body but improve blood sugar levels. By making conscious health decisions can delay the onset of diabetes does not have to be predetermined. Not everyone has to develop the it.

About the Author:

Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.